Not being catholic, the only pope I ever gave any consideration to was John Paul II, and not for his doctrinal stances/pronouncements (about which I am clueless) but for standing up to and pissing off the Soviets by supporting Solidarity in the early 80's.

...even before I read MHI, my response to seeing a poster for the stars of the latest Twilight movies was "I see 2 targets and a collaborator".

I grew up Catholic. I am very not Catholic anymore. I don't dislike Catholics, just can't be bothered to deal with that over complex relationship with my God.

This pope (intentional lack of caps) is a communist wrapped in a slightly less repugnant socialist wrapper who is also wrong on damn near every topic he touches. He is an embarrassment to the Church, an embarrassment to Christians in general...

Further rant not worth the energy.

Even my parents, are still catholic mainly because they are too lazy to learn a new set of rituals and this guy is driving them to consider it. Currently, they attend mass at a church run by retired priests who semi openly state that (this pope) too shall pass. That is NOT a good sign for the Catholic Church.

Popes, like other world leaders (and the Pope IS a world leader) go in cycles. Benedict was a seriously Conservative Pope, followed by a seriously Liberal one (how Liberal? He'd make a good Episcopalian).

The Roman Catholic church has had good Popes and bad ones, it has to because Popes are chosen from people, and people are Fallen.